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C H A P T E R
14
action
adverse events
clinical experience
clinical judgement
clinical reasoning
creative thinking
critical thinking
cues
cue acquisition
decision making
failure to rescue
intuitive thinking
moral agency
motivation
pattern recognition
prejudice
problem solving
process of care
KEY TERMS
LEARNING OUTCOMES
After completing this chapter, the learner should be able to accomplish the following:
1.
Discuss the context of clinical reasoning in a framework of thoughtful practice
2.
Explain the importance of clinical reasoning in the process of care
3.
Outline the key components of clinical reasoning
4.
Explain how different types of thinking inform clinical reasoning
5.
Define the components of critical thinking
6.
Identify the links between critical thinking and reflection
7.
Explain how clinical judgement and decision making relate to clinical reasoning
8.
Appraise the relationships associated with nursing action and the person-centred process of care.
Thoughtful practice: Clinical
reasoning, clinical judgement,
actions and the process of care
T
HIS CHAPTER INTRODUCES the next components
of thoughtful practice—clinical reasoning, the actions
of clinicians, and the processes of person-centred care
(see Figure U3-1 at the start of Chapter 13). It includes a dis-
cussion of clinical reasoning, which is an essential component
of thoughtful practice. It explains the types of thinking skills
that enable the nurse or midwife to assess a person’s situation
and condition, analyse the data collected, prioritise the
person’s needs, decide on the appropriate course of action,
and evaluate the outcomes of the care delivered. This chapter
should be read in conjunction with Chapter 13 so that the rela-
tionships between the components of thoughtful practice are
understood. Many of the concepts in this area overlap and
cannot properly be considered as separate entities because the
